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Several factors influence the cost of travel. By virtue of it being zero-cost, hitchhiking is the cheapest way of traveling between Virginia and New Jersey, but several other factors -- such as having to move a household full of goods -- could influence value over outlay. Hitchhiking may well be the cheapest choice, but in some cases it is not the most realistic.

Step 1

Check discount booking service websites to score the cheapest airline tickets since flying offers by far the best value for your money if minimizing transit time is the main concern. The busiest airport in Virginia by passenger count is Norfolk International Airport, and the largest in New Jersey is Newark Liberty International. As of March 2012, the flight comparison website FareCompare (farecompare.com) lists the cheapest one-way fare as $159 on United Airlines, and the cheapest round-trip fare as $230 from the same provider.

Step 2

Compare the costs quoted by rental car, van and truck companies if the purpose of traveling is to transport several people or bulky goods. The most southwesterly city in Virginia with a vehicle rental presence is Norton, where Enterprise Rent-A-Car (enterprise.com) has a depot. Enterprise also has two depots close to Newark International Airport, which is close to the northeastern corner of New Jersey. The shortest distance between the two points is 619 miles; and as of March 2011, Enterprise’s daily rates start at $48 per day with a 35-cent per-mile fee for any distance over 150 miles. The maximum cost, then, of driving an Enterprise rental between the two farthest points in Virginia and New Jersey would be $164.15 in mileage, plus the cost of gasoline and the rental vehicle.

Step 3

Use your own vehicle to minimize inconvenience, such as getting to and from train stations or airports, and to eliminate the return deadlines of a rental. Virginia Beach is Virginia’s largest city; the most populous center in New Jersey is Newark. The distance between the two is 350 miles if using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which involves paying an additional toll -- $12 per car as of March 2011. The cost of fuel will be dependent upon the performance of the vehicle driven.

Step 4

Consider using a train if the departure and arrival stations are convenient. Amtrak (amtrak.com) operates 21 stations in Virginia and 14 in New Jersey. At the time of publication, the one-way fare between Virginia Beach and Newark is $87.

Step 5

Keep in mind that the cost of travel by bus varies wildly according to the provider. Private charter operators typically operate the most luxurious vehicles, often providing clients with individual seat-back video monitors and onboard staff that provide snacks and beverages much as do flight attendants on planes. National and local companies operate scheduled services between a massive number of pick-up and drop-off locations; but by its nature, this kind of operation takes far longer than a point-to-point route.

Step 6

Take to the roads as a hitchhiker if you have few time constraints, little baggage and a good sense of judgment. Complex routes may require several different rides, which will increase time and, potentially, difficulty. Holding out a sign lettered with your desired eventual destination is often more effective then the time-honored “thumbs-up” gesture alone. Remember that it is illegal to hitchhike where pedestrian travel is banned; in the U.S., this includes the entire interstate system.

References

About the Author

John Cagney Nash began composing press releases and event reviews for British nightclubs in 1982. His material was first published in the "Eastern Daily Press." Nash's work focuses on American life, travel and the music industry. In 1998 he earned an OxBridge doctorate in philosophy and immediately emigrated to America.

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